How Do I Prove I Was Denied a Promotion Because of Discrimination?

If you have been discriminated against, you may be able to take further action, as there are anti-discrimination laws in Columbus, OH. If you think this may have occurred, consult a discrimination lawyer as soon as possible to obtain personalized advice.

Can I Take Legal Action If I Am Denied a Promotion Due to Discrimination?

Is Unfair Treatment in the Workplace Legal in Columbus, OH?

Employers are allowed to treat workers unfairly provided they do not discriminate against any protected characteristic. This means if your employer shows bias toward a peer, or a personality conflict prevents a promotion, there is no automatic legal remedy.

If you have been treated unfairly, it’s important to get legal advice, even if you don’t believe there has been discrimination against a protected characteristic. This is because there are other exceptions. For example, your employer must not do anything that could be considered as harassment, nor should they punish you for reporting a workplace violation. Other exceptions may also apply, so legal advice is essential.

What Types of Discrimination Are Illegal?

Both state and federal laws prohibit discrimination due to any of the protected characteristics, which include:

• Race, color, or ethnicity
• Sex and gender
• Sexual orientation
• Age
• Disability
• Religion
• National origin
• Genetic information
• Pregnancy

Ohio recognizes other protected categories, such as those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and individuals with military status. If you have been denied a promotion, a legal professional will be able to advise if discrimination has occurred.

What Must Be Proven to Establish Discrimination Occurred?

To establish discrimination occurred, you must be able to prove:

• You belong to a protected category
• You met the requirements for the role
• You suffered an adverse action due to discrimination
• Another employer without the same protected characteristic received preferential treatment

How Can Discrimination Be Proven?

Your lawyer will consider several factors, including a comparison between you and the person who received the promotion. If the successful candidate was less or similarly qualified as you, this may strengthen a discrimination claim. If your employer has a proven history of discriminatory practices or decisions, this can support your case further.

Any evidence you can provide to your lawyer can help to substantiate your claim. This could be emails, company policies, or witness statements. Proof of your professional competence can also be beneficial. This can be provided through copies of previous performance reviews, pay awards, or other documents that show positive feedback from management.

Consult a Discrimination Lawyer

There are different types of discrimination, and not all are immediately obvious. For example, a company policy that disadvantages one group of people with a protected characteristic more than others may be classified as a type of discrimination. A lawyer will be able to provide invaluable advice in addition to helping you gather evidence which proves being denied a promotion was due to discrimination.

If you have faced unlawful discrimination, we can help. Contact us today at Nilges Draher Law Attorneys in Columbus, OH to schedule a consultation. We also have offices in North Canton and Cleveland, OH for your convenience. 

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